INSTRUCTIONS TO WORK ON THE VIDEO :

Deep in our solar system, a new era of space exploration is unfolding. Beneath the thick ice of Europa, in the vapor plumes on Enceladus, and within the methane lakes of Titan, astrobiologists are on the hunt for extraterrestrial life. 

Living organisms have to be able to grow, reproduce, and feed themselves, among other things. All of those functions require the formation of complex molecules from more basic components. Liquids such as water allow chemical compounds to remain in suspension instead of sinking under the force of gravity. This enables them to interact frequently in a 3-dimensional space and, in the right conditions, go through chemical reactions that lead to the formation of living matter. 

We’ve honed in on these three moons because each is an ‘ocean world,’ an environment that contains a liquid ocean– and liquid can support the formation of life. 

That alone isn’t enough; the small but complex biomolecules that we’re familiar with are sensitive to temperature— too hot or cold, and they won’t mix. Liquid water has an additional advantage in that it’s relatively temperature-stable, meaning it can insulate molecules against large shifts in heat. On Earth, these and other conditions in aquatic environments may have supported the emergence of life billions of years ago. Tantalizingly, the same could be true in other parts of our solar system, like these three icy moons. 

Europa, which is a moon of Jupiter, is probably the most intriguing ocean world. Beneath a surface layer of ice thicker than Mount Everest, there exists a liquid ocean as much as 100 kilometers deep. Astrobiologists think this hidden ocean could harbour life. Thanks to the Galileo probe, we can deduce that its potential salt content is similar to that of some lakes on Earth. But most of its characteristics will be a mystery until we can explore it further. 

Like Jupiter, Saturn also has moons that might have the right conditions for life. For instance– Enceladus is a tiny ball of ice that’s small enough to nestle within the surface area of the Gulf of Mexico. Similarly to Europa, it likely contains an ocean deep under the ice. But Enceladus also has geysers that frequently vent water vapor and tiny ice grains into space. Astrobiologists are curious about whether these geysers are connected to the ocean below. They hope to send a probe to test whether the geysers’ plumes of vapor contain life-enabling material from that hidden sea. 

Although it’s the best known substance for nurturing life, water isn’t necessarily the only medium that can support living things. Take Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, which has a thick nitrogen atmosphere containing methane and many other organic molecules. Its clouds condense and rain onto Titan’s surface, sustaining lakes and seas full of liquid methane. This compound’s particular chemistry means it’s not as supportive a medium as water. But, paired with the high quantities of organic material that also rain down from the sky, these bodies of liquid methane could possibly support unfamiliar life forms. 

So what might indicate that life exists on these or other worlds? If it is out there, astrobiologists speculate that it would be microscopic, comparable to the bacteria we have on earth. This would make it difficult to directly observe from a great distance, so astrobiologists seek clues called biosignatures. Those may be cells, fossils, or mineral traces left behind by living things. And finding any biosignatures will be challenging for many reasons. One of the biggest concerns is to make sure we sterilize our probes extremely thoroughly. Otherwise we could accidentally contaminate ocean worlds with Earth’s own bacteria, which could destroy alien life. 

Titan, Enceladus, and Europa are just three of possibly many ocean worlds that we could explore. We already know of several other candidates in our solar system, including Jupiter’s moons Callisto and Ganymede, Neptune’s Triton, and even Pluto. 

If there’s this much potential for life to exist in our own tiny solar system, what unimagined secrets might the rest of the universe contain?

According to the video, are these statements true or false?

1. Water helps chemical compounds to rest under the force of gravity.
2. Liquids, in general hold perfect conditions for the development of life.
3. Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, is as small as the Gulf of Mexico
4. It is believed that life could exist on Titan due to its methane lakes and seas.
5. Europa, Enceladus and Titan have one thing in common: the presence of an aquatic environment.
6. Scientist believe that live could exist in the Solar System, however It is can’t be discernible at naked eye.
7. It is almost certain that you are not alone in the universe.

Answers

1. F
2. T
3. F
4. F
5. F
6. T
7. T

Take a loom at the following sentences from the text:

Chemical reactions that lead to the formation of living matter.

What unimagined secrets might the rest of the universe contain?

Even though the bold words could be first perceived as being verbs, they are both adjectives. The -ed and -ing endings is very recurrent in English. The question is there a difference between the usage of the two?

The answer is yes.

The "ing" ending for an adjective describes the person, or thing that causes a feeling or reaction.
The "ed" ending describes a subjective response. It tells how I feel about the thing or person.

Exercise:

1. Her new girlfriend _______ him to write a new song. His girlfriend was very ______. (inspire)
2. We were all ______ because the game was very _______. (bore)
3. Mum _______ me with a cup of chocolate. The chocolate was very ______. (comfort)
4. I was rather ________ by what he said. His words were very _______. (offend)
5. We were _______ to have Sam at home. He is such a _______ boy! (delight)

Answers:

1. inspired / inspiring
2. bored / boring
3. comforted / comforting
4. offended / offensive
5. delighted / delightful

Traduire les phrases suivantes en anglais, issues du texte, puis retrouver ces phrases dans les deux premiers paragraphes du texte en anglais:

1. Au plus profond de notre systeme solaire, une nouvelle ere d'exploration spatiale se met en marche.

2. Les organismes vivants doit etre capable de grandire, se reproduire, et se nourrir, entre autres.

Essential Grammar in use p 197-198

Unit 95    Give me that book! Give it to me!

Which is right ?

1. I gave to Liz the keys./ I gave Liz the keys.
2. I'll lend to you some money if you want. / I'll lend you some money if you want.
3. Did you send the letter me ? / Did you send the letter to me?
4. I want to buy for you a present / I want to buy you a present.
5. Can you pass to me the sugar, please ? / Can you pass me the sugar, ?
6. This is Ann's bag. Can you give it to her? / Can you give her it ?
7. I showed to the policeman my identity card. / I showed the policeman my identity card.

1. I gave Liz the keys.
2. lend you somebody
3. send the letter to me
4. buy you a present
5. pass me the sugar
6. give it to her
7. the policeman my identity car

(please note that this definitions are according to the context)

Unfolding (-ing form of the verb to unfold) - if a situation or story unfolds, it develops or becomes clear to otherpeople.

Sinking (-ing form of the vernb to sink) - to go down below the surface or to the bottom of a liquid or soft substance.

Honed in on (expression) - another way of saying "home in on", focus attention on.

Tantalizingly (adverb) - in a way that makes you feel excited and hope that you might get or do something, especially when this does not in fact happen.

Harbour (verb) - give a home or shelter to.

Nestle (within) (verb) - settle/place “comfortably” within

Thoroughly (adverb) - in a detailed and careful way.

Peseshet is a doctor and a teacher. The video describes a typical day of her life.

Now it is you turn. Write a text :

- Present yourself.

- Describe your profession.

- Tell what you did to get this job.

- Describe a typical day of your life : what usually happens when you are at work?

You can book a one to one class with a teacher who will correct your writing exercise.  One to one classes can be online, with a video call, anytime of the day. 

This gives you full flexibility for your timetable.

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